HOMER HILL. Cradley, Worcestershire. 1st. November, 1866.

The colliery belonged to Messrs. Evers and Sons. It was a new pit with the shaft being sunk in 1865 and was 270 yards deep. The fireman went down and found the ventilation all right and about 40 to 50 men were lowered. Mr. Foley the manager went down the shaft and was near the miners when there was violent explosion. Mr. Foley was knocked out by debris. the explosion happened about 500 yards from the bottom of the shaft and the men were burnt and were able to make their way to the shaft and get up the shaft but John Edwards and a man named Guest had to be carried. Sixteen were found to be injured and taken to their homes in carts and visited by the colliery owner.

The inquest on the bodies of the following was held before Coroner R. Docker:

  • William Westwood,
  • John Edwards,
  • George Griffiths,
  • William Gordon,
  • Eland Burnbrook,
  • Jesse Heathcote,
  • Francis Burrell
  • Daniel Hart,
  • William Buddleton.

The deceased were nine of the twelve who died in the explosion.

Edward Dovui said he was working at the pit at the time of the explosion and was loading in the Nine Feet workings about 7.30 when he felt a rush of air and saw the candles blowing. He knew something had happened and he threw himself down and the air was followed by fire. He did not hear any report and he was burnt on the face and hands but he was able to walk to the bottom.

John Andrews, collier, was also loading at the time of the explosion and he was one of the first to go along the road after the pit had been examined and he caught a glimpse of the fire coming down the tunnel but it reached him before he could get down and the fire passed him and went to the bottom of the shaft

The inquest on the three other men was held at the Bluebell Inn, Quarry Bank, before Mr. W.H. Phillips, Coroner.

  • William Hadock,
  • Solomon Guest,
  • John Poulton.

The jury found that the deceased were “Accidentally Killed” and were of the opinion that the blame rested on the fireman for not examining the back opening properly.

 

Information supplied by Ian Winstanley and the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.

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